Denver preschool program celebrates fifth anniversary

Gov. John Hickenlooper, Denver Preschool Program CEO Eileen Piper, oilman Sam Gary and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock blew out the candles on a cake celebrating the fifth anniversary of the preschool program. (Photo by Sheeba Wheeler)

The Denver Preschool Program has enrolled more than 25,000 students since voters approved a ballot measure approving the program.

Oilman Sam Gary and then Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper spearheaded the ballot initiative, and were on hand this week to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the program.

Denver voters in 2006 approved raising the city’s sales tax by 0.12 percent to pay to send up to 2,000 4-year-olds to preschool every year starting in 2008. At the time it was passed, the tax was expected to generate about $12 million annually for 10 years, primarily to fund preschool tuition credits for Denver parents.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.